'Game Of Thrones' Season 7 Theory: Is This The Reason Bran Was Acting Strange With Sansa?

Staff Writer at MP.
"Holy cow, Rick! I didn't know hanging out with you was making me smarter!"
Twitter: @RDerisz.

Everyone seemed to agree on one thing about the latest Game of Thrones episode — the dialogue and the acting was the best of the season so far, the show at its finest, apart from Bran Stark. Finally reunited with sister Sansa after years in the wilderness, Bran's return to Winterfell was anti-climatic thanks to his stone-face and controversial way of revealing his powers of omnipresence.

At their first meeting, as Sansa stood, teary-eyed and taken aback at the sight of her brother, Bran didn't even crack the slightest of smiles, doing his best impression of a socially awkward teenager who passively skim-read "How To Be Cool For Dummies." Things got even weirder later; as he explained his new role as the Three-Eyed Raven meant he could see everything, he decided to tell Sansa she looked pretty the night she married (and was viciously raped by) Ramsay Bolton. Not strange at all, mate.

But there could be a valid reason for Bran's bizarre behavior, and for now, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Actor Isaac Hempstead Wright told Entertainment Weekly that "it's quite difficult for Bran to have any kind of semblance of personality anymore because he's really like a giant computer," due to the ability to perceive all time, all the time. As well as seeming to confirm the theory that the original Three-Eyed Raven was an older, time-travelling version of Bran, it explains why he may seem devoid of emotion.

However, this doesn't explain his comment toward Sansa. So what gives? Combined with another long-running theory, Bran's cold, cold shoulder makes sense. There has been speculation that Sansa is set to betray Jon Snow, running back to events at the end of the sixth season of #GameofThrones, when the conniving Littlefinger declared his love for Sansa, as well informing her of his dream to share the Iron Throne with her. Although she declined at the time, she called upon the Knights of the Vale to assist in the Battle of the Bastards.

Littlefinger's attempt to get Sansa to side with him coincides with a strained relationship between Sansa and Jon so far in Game of Thrones Season 7. Sansa has constantly challenged Jon's authority as King in the North, and while that shows her increase in self-belief and strength as a result of the testing moments she has lived through, calling him into question publicly has undermined him in front of the people who see him as a King.

Although Sansa only had a small amount of screen time in "The Queen's Justice," it was significant; she was shown capably taking control of Winterfell, walking through the castle while confidently placing orders. As Jon is absent, visiting Dragonstone with Ser Davos in an attempt to persuade Daenerys to join the battle against the White Walkers, Littlefinger again takes the opportunity to chip away at Sansa's resolve.

This theory could go either way; most fans would prefer to see Sansa remain loyal to Jon Snow, with her familial loyalty steering her decision-making. However, Bran's response could be a sign she is going to betray Jon, because if she is, he will have seen it with his own eyes. In his role as the Three-Eyed Raven, during the reunion he may've already known what was about to come, with an obligation to let events unfold as they are written.

In those circumstances, I think most of us would be forgiven for being a little awkward.

Do you think Bran was acting strange in Game of Thrones due to knowing about Sansa's upcoming betrayal?